Tag: 2015

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) generally receives over 150 million individual returns over the tax season with more than 95% of those returns filed electronically and over 80% of those returns resulting in refunds. Over the last few years, thanks to plenty of pandemic related stimulus payments and funding for…

This article provides updates on the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) over the last few years and predictions for the coming year. You can see more on the final 2025 COLA (2.5%) below. COLA is particularly significant for over 71 million Americans, especially retirees, as it directly affects their Social Security and…

Before we file our tax returns there are a number of forms we need to receive from our employers, financial institutions and other third-party entities we make money from, conducted financial transactions or did business with. Below are estimated time frames for when we can expect to receive some of these common income tax forms for…

You can see the latest EIC tables in this updated Earned Income Tax credit (EITC) page [Updated] Below are the final IRS published 2016 and 2017 Earned Income Tax credit (EITC) figures. You can reference IRS publication 596 or use online tax providers like TurboTax or H&R Block to get a free estimate of the specific…

The IRS has released its latest individual employee contribution annual limits for those participating in employer sponsored retirement programs covering 401(k), 403(b), 457 and Government Thrift Savings (TSP) plans. Changes are shown in the table below. The contribution limits are indexed to inflation and as a result are adjusted annually by the…

[2016 updates] 2016 health insurance premiums under the state and federal health care system (Affordable Care Act) are rising. No doubt about that. The question is by how much. Recent reports and have a broad range (from 6% to 15%) as health insurance companies have started submitting requests to the regulator (insurance…

[Updated with latest details per the IRS] The savers credit helps middle to lower income earners save for retirement by providing a tax credit offset to retirement plan (401k and IRA) contributions. But a lot of people don't know about or take advantage of this little known credit, officially referred to by…

Millions of Americans contribute to an employer sponsored 401K or traditional IRA (Individual Retirement Account). And over the last few years the government has steadily been increasing the maximum contribution people can make to ensure that folks can build a larger nest egg during retirement. But thanks for the low inflation environment…

Given the low inflation environment over the last year, the 2015 IRS Tax Brackets, standard deductions and personal exemptions have only seen a moderate increase over 2014 levels. Federal income tax brackets and related tax items, under the tax code, provide for mandatory annual adjustments based on inflation. This is to prevent…

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program administered by Social Security that provides monthly payments to significantly disabled adults, children and seniors over 65 with low income and limited resources. To be eligible for SSI, a person must be 65 or older, blind, or have a medical condition that prevents…

Under the latest Biden tax proposals, there is talk of restoring the the tax benefit limitation of itemized deductions to 28 percent of value for those earning more than $400,000. The proposal would also restores the Pease limitation on itemized deductions for taxable incomes above $400,000 that is discussed below…

[Updated] Will i still have to pay health insurance penalties (under the Obamacare individual mandate)? This is the question a lot of Americans are asking. The short answer is NO from 2019.  Here is why the individual mandate, a.k.a Obamacare penalty, is no longer in effect from 2019: While Congressional Republicans…

Here are the latest Health Savings Account (HSA) limits released by the IRS. Consistent with recent years, the inflation-adjusted contribution limits for individuals and families are continuing to increase. Latest HSA Contribution and Out-of-Pocket limits You can see the latest limits in the table below, including minimum deductible and maximum…